Bradley says he's 'had it' with Gore

Published: Friday, January 28, 2000

STRATHAM, N.H. {AP} Bill Bradley, struggling to balance his high-road campaign themes with a need to overtake Al Gore, said Thursday he'd "had it" with his Democratic rival and pushed ahead with a new, more confrontational style.

With polls suggesting Gore has been moving ahead just days before the New Hampshire primary, Bradley indicated the accusations and sharp words he had for the vice president in their debate on Wednesday were no one-night strategy.

"How you run a campaign is how you govern. That was the point I was making and I waited a long time to make it," Bradley said.

"Last night I decided I'd had it and I'm going to call my opponent on what he's been doing," said Bradley. "Making that point several times struck a positive chord in a lot of people who had just been waiting essentially for him to be called out."

Gore's camp said Bradley was showing desperation.

But Bradley, who accused Gore of campaign dishonesty, said he was getting a good response from voters.

Gore, addressing employees of a high-tech firm in Manchester, said anew that Bradley was turning the campaign negative.